I talk about happy babies all the time, but there are certain difficult clinical situations that I need to address.
Arching would go at the top of the list. It is a fascial strain that extends the head, neck and back into a distinct arch. I believe that it is created by a sustained fetal position over time where the fascia took on this strain.
Since it runs from the sacrum to the occiput, it can wreak havoc with all of the body systems. The baby will present with a list of issues with arching as the root.
I spend all of my treatment time specifically with the arching but never know the number of visits. When the arching goes away, the infant can respond well to regular techniques.
If that arching is straining into the voice box, stridor and laryngomalacia may present. Many visits of therapy may be needed to clear these challenging issues.
Reflux is, by far, our most difficult condition to clear. Often, the strain will be in the posterior half of the diaphragm as it attaches to the inside of the back and ribcage. If you hold the back with one hand and the belly with the other hand, you can pick up that nasty deep strain.
If the reflux still persists with a strain-free infant, dairy intolerance from the breast milk is probably the cause. Moms do not usually want to hear dairy-free, but I just make this suggestion from my clinical experience.
Problems like colic can therapeutically result in a lot of crying from releasing strain in a painful area. Moms need to be prepared ahead of time.
Moms also need to know there are layers of strain in their infants. The babies may appear to slide back after a visit, but another layer of strain is now surfacing. My average infant needs 5–8 visits, but the above situations can add more sessions.
Please just listen to the infant and trust the process. Authentic healing is a beautiful feeling for a therapist.
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